Best Mage Class?

[Joely]

Hey im planning to start a new game using a mage orientated character as the protagonist, any recommendations on what is the best race, class, spells to have? Should i go sorceror?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated,
cheers

[Lord]

Originally posted by Joely: Hey im planning to start a new game using a mage orientated character as the protagonist, any recommendations on what is the best race, class, spells to have? Should i go sorceror? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, cheers

You might wanna try a human since they can dual class later on, allowing you to be a mage/fighter when you're ready for that. A specialist mage gets an extra spell per lvl, so they're worth looking into. Their only downside is that they can't learn spells of the opposite school (check the manual for this, page 229). Edwin is a specialist mage (conjuror), and he is so powerful it's not even funny (although part of it is due to his special amulet). A
must have spell early on is magic missile...it's so useful in disrupting mages, making it a great spell. Melf's (lvl 2) and Flame Arrow (I think lvl 3) are great spells too. MMM (melf's minute meteoroids, level 3) are nice too. For higher level spells (no ToB installed for the HLA spells), I'd use breach and khelben's (sp??) warding whip to take down spell protections on opposing mages. Abi-Dalzim's Horrid Wilting is also a GREAT spell, and I do mean great. These are just a few offensive spells that I prefer, but those defensive/info spells can be very helpful too. That's pretty all the advice I can give since I've never had my main character a mage before, my only experience with them is with NPCs.

[Joely]

Ahh cheers for that Lord, yeah i was actually considering dual classing into a fighter/mage thanks for the heads up. How could anyon pass up magic missile!? Its just like the perfect spell. Horrid wilting hey, it may be nice to use that AGAINST the enemy for a change...

"I've never had my main character a mage before, my only experience with them is with NPCs."

I know what you mean though, i prefer letting them use their heads while i charge in slashing away, go the Paladin! [img]graemlins/knightsmile.gif[/img]

[perlninja]

Edwin sucks. The same items on Nadia result in an AC of -3 for Nadia and +4 for Edwin; he can't take any punishment until you get uber items. Specialist mages represented by NPCs include conjuror (Edwin) and Illusionist (Jan). So what I recommend, if you're set on doing a specialist mage, is a human necromancer with really decent constitution, dual classed to a fighter later on.

[slimjimosu]

I very much enjoyed my elven wild mage. This guy is a powerhouse after a few level-ups. I very rarely had a wild surge in a dangerous situation and with mid-high levels + the chaos shield spells, Nahal's Reckless Dweomer becomes an amazingly versatile spell. Kinda like a cross between a mage and a sorcerer. Plus they get the bonus spell of a specialist mage without having an apposing school, ie. they can cast any spell they want. Ergo, this is easily my favorite straight mage class.

PS - if you're thinking about dual-classing, don't choose the wild mage. Cannot dual class.

[Pirengle]

If you're looking to play a straight mage (no dual- or multi-classing), I suggest Conjurer, because its opposition school, Divination, isn't as crippling as the others. (Since when are you going to need to memorize Clairvoyance?)

If you're looking to multiclass, Illusionist might be the way to go. A minimum of 16 DEX works well with a thief multiclass. (At higher levels, Jan rules. [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) Gnomes are the only race that can multiclass a kit, and only because gnomish mages can only be illusionists.

If you're looking to dual-class, the ultimate spam lay in the kensai/mage combo. Affectionally called kensages, these juggernauts recieve all the APR, weapon proficiencies, and kai perks of a kensai, AND can wear mage robes. The game doesn't count robes as armor, per se. If you don't want to be that cheesy, an assassin/mage or a cleric/mage still pack plenty of firepower.

Have you considered a bard? (Disregard Haer'Dalis--he's not a stellar example.) Bards make decent archers or fighters if you build them right, and can memorize the best combat-oriented spells or even cast them from scrolls. Bards can also use wands. If you plan to take a fighter-heavy party, the Bard Song can and WILL save your life! (Or at least time.)

Wild Mages are found only in the expansion pack, Throne of Bhaal.

[Indemaijinj]

And then there is the sorcerer.

Sorcerers is not good for first-timers since they cannot learn spells from scrolls and are therefore stuck with the few spells they get to choose while levelling up.

They do, however, work like a charm in the midst of combat since they don't have to memorize and can just choose what spells they want to use their slots on in the heat of battle.

Sorcerers are not hard to play, you just need to learn what exact mix of spells takes you through the game.

[Joely]

Well well indeed! Thanks for all your opinions now im even more confused! they all sound real good, which one now?!?!

Im interested in the Kensages you mentioned Pirengle, what level is best to dual class though? earlier or later on? later right?

Yeah i have no beef with a bard, i planned on using a blade once but couldnt pass up a fighter class...again, I can change i swear!

Sorcerors lack of learnt spells are the only real reason i havent chosen to be one, sure having so many memorised spells instead is indeed a bonus but i think ill try a kensage.

Now what about equipment oh resourcesful ones? Weapon prof., armor/robes etc what would suit a powerhouse of a mage?

[True_Moose]

Joely, for a kensai/mage, you've got a couple of options.

Level 9 and Level 13 are most often cited. If you have only SoA, dual at level 9. That allows you to become a level 9/level 17 mage, with the capability of casting 8th level spells, the highest in the base game.

Level 13 should be used if you have ToB. This level will give you more impressive bonuses to hit and THAC0, another weapon proficiency, as well as kai (IIRC.)

I also like Level 15 dual, with ToB. Course, I'm doing it solo right now with a level 15 dual (I have 8 solos going on right now, lol.)

I'd go for level 9, if you really want a mage with some pretty nice fighting skills. The other builds have the potential to be more powerful, but they are less like mages than multi-class type characters.

[Pirengle]

Originally posted by Joely:

Im interested in the Kensages you mentioned Pirengle, what level is best to dual class though? earlier or later on? later right?

Check out Dundee's FAQ for some dual-classing rules, and Volothamp's Comeuppance for a bit more in-depth explanation (the link is near the end of the FAQ).

I've never tried a kensage because I'm not a fan of cheese, but do a search on this forum for "kensai mage dualclassing" and see what you find. The level differs depending on whether you have ToB or not.

Sorcerors lack of learnt spells are the only real reason i havent chosen to be one, sure having so many memorised spells instead is indeed a bonus but i think ill try a kensage.

They can only memorize a certain amount of spells. All mages (and bards for that matter) can cast spells off scrolls, regardless of class or level. Some people prefer being able to pick and choose which level 7 spells to cast four times per day, rather than decide the night before which six level 7 spells might be handy the following day, and be stuck with that choice.

If you want to try out a sorcerer, I suggest downloading Kelsey from http://www.forgottenwars.net or Tashia from http://tashia.fwstudios.net/download.html. They're great NPCs, and romancable too! (Kelsey's romance is a LOT easier than Tashia's.) They have decent stats, and built kinda like a hands-on how-to on building and maintaining a sorcerer.

Now what about equipment oh resourcesful ones? Weapon prof., armor/robes etc what would suit a powerhouse of a mage?

I refuse to spoil on that. Go poke around here and do some research. [img]tongue.gif[/img] I will say that if you've installed the Bonus Merchants (available at weidu.org), a budding mage can find potent gear for sale in Athkatla.